Field Hockey — World cup draw

Leonas play opener against South Africa

Argentina''s captain Luciana Aymar (top) celebrates after scoring a goal against South Africa at the 2012 Olympics.

Men’s team faces the Netherlands

The FIH announced yesterday the schedule for the World Cup. Twice World Cup winners Argentina women’s team will play its opener against South Africa while the men’s squad will meet host the Netherlands.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Argentina women’s field hockey national team, the Leonas, will play South Africa in the opener as the men’s team will face hosts the Netherlands at the World Cup to be held in The Hague from May 31 to June 15, according to the the competition schedule announced yesterday by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

This epic tournament, consisting of 76 matches, will be the second time that both the men’s and women’s World Cups have been held at the same time and at the same location. The schedule will see six matches take place a day in the pool phase running until 10th June, reducing to four during the knock-out phases.

Held at the Kyocera Stadium, this awesome event will kick-off on the May 31 with the women’s final on Saturday June 14 followed by the men’s on Sunday June 15.

World ranking number two the Leonas, who became World Cup winners in 2002 and 2010, will play in pool B and will face South Africa (June 1), the United States (June 3), Germany (June 6), England (June 8) and China (June 10).

Meanwhile, the Leones (11th at the FIH ranking) will also compete in pool B and will face the Netherlands (June 1), Germany (June 3), New Zealand (June 6), South Korea (June 8) and South Africa (June 10).

Men’s pool A will consist of the 2010 World Cup champions Australia, England, Belgium, India, Spain and Malaysia. In the women’s event, pool A will consist of reigning Olympic and World League champions the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Belgium.